Questioning Trauma, IQ, Failure, Atheism, and Expanders

 

“I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

When will people understand that trauma doesn't justify being a bully?

Normal people understand this already. For the bullies, it is a challenge, however.

Do successful people have peace of mind?

Considering that “success” is true happiness in life, I would think so. If, however, we are misinterpreting “success” to mean “attaining goals” then, probably not. But, if you have attained the goals you worked so hard for, you are probably feeling pretty successful in your life. If you have no other goals to strive for, you have attained peace of mind.

Are you happy that you are alive?

Absolutely! Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day.

Is it right to live your youth as you want and then end it as soon as you can no longer do what you want?

Well, I view this as being selfish to myself. If I can no longer do what I want, I will find something else to do that I can. At 70 years of age, my time left, in this particular experience, is up in the air. Soon, I will be heading for the next great adventure. But, as long as the creator thinks I can continue learning I will happily stay and learn a bit more. Youth, you see, is overrated. You can learn more with the wisdom of age.

Information technology role in human life?

This is not a question.

Why do I never make sense to anyone with any of my questions, and do all of my questions make sense when I read them to myself?

Only you can answer the last part of this. I think one needs to be receptive to your questions and try to help you to make them understandable if they aren’t. I just read a question that wasn’t one. I informed them that it wasn’t a question. It is up to them to come back for more information. Or, they can try to correct the question. It is a choice. A choice is what you have, as well. Learning is a wellspring of information.

“Not everything that makes sense works, and not everything that works makes sense.”

-- Rory Sutherland

Thinking about IQ has made me depressed. I want to know my IQ but at the same time, I am scared to know. I try to think about it logically but it just hurts more. What do you recommend I do?

Understanding that IQ puts a quotient to your intelligence, not to how smart you are. I’m not the most intelligent guy, but I’d like to think I’m pretty smart. That is impressive.

If you don't mind, can I ask you something?

You just did.

What do you think is the reason religion is popular even though it might not be based on truth?

But, it may be based on truth. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Both atheists and theists have faith in their beliefs, but neither has incontrovertible proof that they are right. The theists will have to die to find out. Atheists will probably never get the chance.

Is it possible to trust someone you don't like?

Trust has nothing to do with my liking them. I like many people, but I wouldn’t trust them to watch a quarter.

Why do some people only talk to you when you're busy? Then they lack social cues or common sense and constantly interrupt, but, when you're sitting in front of them, they never speak to you.

They like to interrupt. There is no rhyme or reason except they seem to like interrupting your business. I would go and sit in front of them, and simply stare at them. When they ask what you’re doing, “I’m just staring at you. But, I’m not talking to you, because I can see that you are busy.” They will probably say, “What?” At this point, you can tell them to think about it. Unless they’re a total brick, they’ll get it.

If you could distill the essence of life into a single piece of advice or a profound quote, what would it be, and why does it resonate with you?

Try this:

“It is what it is until it isn’t, and then, it is what it is again.”

-- F.A. Villari

What is the reason for the failure of the West? The mental "blind point" or our own evilness?

Liberalism rewriting the “Rule of Law.”

Is everyone successful in the online world, or are there any exceptions?

We’re talking about humans, right? Not everyone is going to attain their goals, and there will be many exceptions. Being successful, on the other hand, only requires one to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. But, again, we’re talking about humans, right? There will be many exceptions. 

What is the first step to take to be a stoic?

Study Zeno of Citium. He is the founder of stoic philosophy.

How many hours must I spend on my phone a day?

If you “must” then it isn’t up to you. If it is up to you, then you can spend as much time as you feel you need to. Personally, I hate my phone. I’d rather have a “home” phone with a message machine. But, then, I’m old school. I don’t need to hear from everybody when they think it’s necessary, and I don’t need to get a thousand messages because Joe stubbed his toe. Just saying.

What are your desires which you want to accomplish?

The name escapes me.

Before joining [this site], I viewed its participants as being "in the know" or "enlightened." Now I see that so many are "warmongers." But just in case I miss something, could they actually be "enlightened warmongers?"

Interesting take on the site. I categorized most of them as liberal-leaning communists. But, that’s just me. To your question, though, “enlightened warmongers” sounds pretty good, albeit wrong.

“You can measure the mentality of a warmonger, by the meanings of the words, they wrongly mince!” 

-- Unknown

(And the blatant facts that they choose to ignore... university students.)

What does it mean to be a good person according to atheism?

Take God out of the equation, and it becomes the same thing to be a good person if you’re a theist.

How can Stoicism change your life?

Maybe the definition can help you:

It is a “school taught that virtue, the highest good, is based on knowledge; the wise live in harmony with the divine Reason (also identified with Fate and Providence) that governs nature, and are indifferent to the vicissitudes of fortune and to pleasure and pain.”

I read this to mean “striving for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.” It is the way I strive to live my life.

Why does my husband get angry during sex?

You aren’t giving him what he wants? Maybe you should be asking him. 

What things have students done that their teachers have never forgotten? 

A potato rammed into the muffler pipe of a classic Mercedes. As a science teacher, I don’t think he thought it was very funny. Actually, I don’t think anyone would find it very funny.

Can we truly know ourselves?

Introspection can help, but do any of us really know ourselves? I have my doubts. 

Author's comment: My one fear is that tomorrow I may die without having come to know myself. 

Can you have a meaningful existence without suffering?

No. There must be balance in the universe. A meaningful existence means nothing unless you know suffering.

“Pain is the feeling. Suffering is the effect the pain inflicts. If one can endure pain, one can live without suffering. If one can withstand pain, one can withstand anything. If one can learn to control pain, one can learn to control oneself. ”

-- James Frey

Do expanders change your face?

Can you use them on your face? And, if you can, why?

I am looking for peace of mind. Where can I find it?

Well, you’re in the right area. It’s in there someplace. Try throwing out everything that creates chaos in your mind. You’ll probably find it.

Why are people smart but greedy?

I take exception to that comment. “Smart” people are rarely greedy. Generally, we’re too smart. Stupid people and intelligent people might fall into your category, however. They have a habit of focusing on the wrong things. Smart people are more concerned with just trying to be truly happy. Greed just doesn’t provide a permanent solution.

How do I know I am me? I have a problem with personal identity. I think a person at one time and a person at another time can be said to be the same person, persisting through time. Am I still the same me when I was just born?

If you don’t know if you are you, you have more issues than just this question.

Am I immature for collecting plushies at 19?

Women can do pretty much what they want. Men on the other hand, I’d be hesitant to call a “plushie” collecting man, mature. But, hey… who am I to judge?

How do I feel good in life? When you don't know what to do, what you want to have or be, or what your goals are, and yes, there is a link with depression. But, how do you find things to do, and, more than this, how do you "learn how to love life"?

“How do I feel good in life?” This is the only question you need to focus energy on. The rest of this crap will fall away when you feel good. You need to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is a simple choice you need to make for your life. Everything that makes you not feel good, you need to get rid of. Change your life and you might change your happiness. It is a choice. 

“Feeling guilt dims our light. Instead of dimming our light to make others feel more comfortable, we could just continue to shine and foster the rise of the vibrations of those around us.

Being Happy and Feeling Good does not mean you have no compassion for the misery of those around you. It simply means you won’t dim your light to make them feel comfortable – instead, you’re going to help light the way.

At first, your light may be a bit too bright for others and it may hurt their eyes, yet it’s far better to shine rather than to hide your light. When you hide your light for too long, it extinguishes and you slip right back into darkness…unable to find your way until someone ‘shiny’ comes along to light your way and help you to find the light you still possess within your Soul’s Magnificence.”

-- Alaric Hutchinson

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com